Hook on a wristband for a wristwatch and fitting thereof

ABSTRACT

A hook-on wristband for a wristwatch formed with a two-piece fitting including a hook-shaped member which is secured by a longer leg to the inner ply of a two-ply band by means of prongs formed on the longer leg and passing through the inner ply; the outer ply of the band being longer than the inner ply and folded around the hook and engaged to the shorter leg thereof by a reentrant extension of the shorter leg which is clamped over the ply end; a spring detent member is secured between the longer hook member leg and the inner ply with a curved detent portion of the spring member disposed between the legs of the hook member.

United States Patent Harry Kalinsky, New York, N.Y. (3530 Henry Hudson Parkway, Bronx, N.Y. 10463) July 24, 1969 Feb. 23, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented HOOK ON A WRISTBAND FOR A WRISTWATCH 4.5; 24/26.5(W), 265(AL) Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerJohn Mannix Attorney-Victor M. Helfand ABSTRACT: A hook-on wristband for a wristwatch formed with a two-piece fitting including a hook-shaped member which is secured by a longer leg to the inner ply of a two-ply band by means of prongs formed on the longer leg and passing through the inner ply; the outer ply of the band being longer than the inner ply and folded around the hook and engaged to the shorter leg thereof by a reentrant extension of the shorter leg which is clamped over the ply end; a spring detent member is secured between the longer hook member leg and the inner ply with a curved detent portion of the spring member disposed between the legs of the hook member.

HOOK ON A WRISTBAND FOR A WRISTWATCH AND FITTWG THEREOF The present invention relates to a wristband for use with Wristwatches and, more particularly, to a leather, or like, wristband whose ends are secured to the case of the wrist watch by snapping them over the spindles provided on opposed sides of the watch case.

l-leretofore, wristbands have generally been attached to Wristwatches by making the spindles removable and held in place by means of depressible pins at their ends that engage in suitable pin-receiving openings provided in spaced lugs projecting from the case. Such spindles were passed through a loop at each end of the strap and then engaged by their end pins in the lug openings. This method of wristband attaching, while prevalent, is unsatisfactory fora number of reasons. It generally required both manual dexterity and also the use of tools for manipulating the spindle pins out of the openings as well as to replace them into the openings; a dexterity and tools generally available only to a skilled watchmaker. Further, the metal spindle in conjunction with moisture from perspiration and other sources tended to cause deterioration of the leather or the like in the spindle-engaging loop of the band, causing it to disintegrate and to bring about the dropping of the watch from the wrist, very often without the wearer's being aware of it.

Efforts have been made to do away with the spindle and loop method of attachment by substituting at each end of the band a metallic fitting in the form of a snap hook. Such fitting, as heretofore made, was formed of a stripof spring metal having an elongated stern portion with a hook at one end, for snapping over a spindle; eliminating the need of removing or replacing the same. Such metal fitting is held in place, by means of adhesive, between the inner and outer plies, which generally form the leather or like wristband, with the outer ply of the band being longer than the inner ply and extending around and covering and adhering over the exterior of the hook portion of the fitting, to cover the same. While this latter method eliminated any difficulties involved in the removal and replacement of spindles, it presented other drawbacks. For example, body heat and moisture often quickly resulted in the deterioration of the adhesive and the loosening of the fitting from between the plies of the band, and thereby destroyed its usefulness. Also, the metal fitting, which was required to possess resilience, had to be formed of relatively soft strips which, of necessity, had to be very thin. As a result, the resilience of the fitting was easily destroyed, so that the hook tended to become easily disengaged from the spindle, and also to corrode and to break.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a leather or like wristband for Wristwatches, of the latter snapon type, which possesses all of the advantages of such wristband type; namely, ease of attachment and removal; without any of its disadvantages.

Thus, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a wristband, of the character described, which is safely and securely held over the spindle of a wristwatch case, with a minimum of risk of becoming detached therefrom, due to loosening or deterioration.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a snap-on fitting for a wristband, of the character described, which is safely and securelymechanically held in place on the end of the band, with a minimum of risk of loosening or becoming detached therefrom.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a fitting for a wristband, of the character described, which is formed of a rigid, noncorroding strip of metal, and will not readily deteriorate or cause deterioration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fitting for a wristband, of the character described, which, though relatively simple and easy to attach in place over a spindle and as simple and easy to remove and replace, will, nevertheless, safely remain in place against inadvertent or accidental detachment from the spindle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fitting for a wristband, of the character described, which is simple and easy to secure in place on the end of the band and will not detract from its appearance.

Generally stated, the invention consists in the provision of a fitting formed of two parts; namely, a hook member having a stem and a hook at one end which may be formed of noncorroding material, whose stem may be provided with lug projections engageable through openings in the inner ply of a band, and a separate spring detent element having a stem disposed against the inner surface of the stem of the hook member, and clamped thereagainst by the securing of the inner ply of the band to the stern of the hook member.

The construction of the fitting of the invention and the manner of its securing in place on the end of a wristband will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the one preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and from the description following. It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustrating the invention and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the fitting of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled fitting, in position for securing to the end of a wristband; and

FIG. 3 is an edge elevation showing the end of a wristband assembled with a fitting of the present invention, engaged over the spindle of a wristwatch casing.

Referring now in greater details to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the numeral l0 generally designates one end of a wristband section formed of at least two plies of pliable material, such as leather, including an inner ply, l2, and an outer ply, 14, of greater length than ply l2, and projecting beyond the end edge of the latter.

The fitting of the invention comprises a hook member, generally designated as 16, of generally U-shape, having a longer leg, 18, and a shorter leg, 20, parallel thereto, connected to one another by a preferably arcuate web, 22. Hook member 16 is preferably formed of a strip of noncorrodible, nonresilient metal, such as stainless steel. Leg 18, which forms the stem of the hook member 16 may have its end portion taper to triangular shape and is provided with a plurality of prongs, 24, offset at right angles thereto in the direction of leg 20. The prongs 24 may be three in number, with one, 24a, at the apex, and two, 24b, at the base of the triangular end portion. Leg 20 may be formed with an extension, 26, which is reentrantly and diagonally upwardly directed and is formed with one or more teeth, 28, projecting from its end edge and offset at substantially right angles thereto, arranged to register with one or more openings, 30, formed in the leg 20. The web 22 may be formed with one or more circumferentially extending indentations, 29, to stiffen and reinforce it against both. the collapsing and the spreading of the hook member.

The fitting also comprises a resilient detent member, generally designated as 32, formed of spring metal, as of leaf spring, and shaped to include a flat stem section, 34, and an approximately arcuate detent nose section, 36; the altitude of the arcuate section 36 being slightly less than the distance between legs 18 and 20 of hook member 16. The free end portion of the flat detent section 34 may taper conformingly to the taper of the end of hook member leg 18 and may preferably be slightly wider than such hook member portion, to form shoulders, 38, at the base of the taper, and may be truncated at its apex and provided with a recess, 40, in its truncated edge, whereby the tapered end portion of detent member 32 may be fitted around the apical prong 24a and the shoulders 38 abutting the base prong 2412. It will be understood that the flat detent section 34 is of such length that when its tapered end portion is disposed over the tapered end portion of hook member 18, the arcuate detent nose 36 will underlie leg 20.

To assemble the fitting with the wristband 10, the end of the shorter or inner ply 12 is left detached from the outer, longer ply 14 and has formed therein slots or openings, 42, arranged in conformity with the arrangement and spacing of prongs 24. Detent member 32 is then disposed over hook member leg 18 with its end portion over the end portion of leg 18, and confined within the area defined by prongs 24; its recess 40 engaging around prong 24a and its shoulders 38 abutting prongs 24b, to thereby maintain it in position against displacement during the assembly operation. Detent nose 36 is then disposed under hook member side 20.

The hook member 16 with the detent member 32 in place thereon is then placed against the inner face of the hook member leg 18 in position to have the openings or slots 42 in ply l2 fit over prongs 24. The prongs 24 are then offset to thereby clamp the hook member and detent member on band ply l2. Thereafter, the end of outer band ply 14 is folded around the rounded end or web 22 of hook member 16, with its marginal end edge portion arranged to underlie hook member extension 26 which is then clamped down over such outer ply end, to simultaneously force tooth 28 through ply l4 and into the opening 30 in leg 20, to thereby securely anchor the outer band ply 14 and hook member 16 on one another. It will be apparent that extension 26 which overlies and secures the edge of band ply 14 also constitutes an ornamental detail for the band, especially when the fitting is formed of bright, stainless steel.

It will be apparent that, when assembled, the end of band with the fitting in place may be hooked over the spindle, 44, of a wristwatch case and pulled to snap the spindle 44 past the apex of the detent nose 36, to thereby safely retain the band and watchcase in safe and secure assembly. It will also be apparent that the band 10 may be removed from the watchcase by pressing the wristband end in the opposite direction, to thereby depress the detent nose 36 to allow for the outward passing of the spindle 44.

lt may here be stated that the facing surfaces of the band plies 12 and 14 may, additionally, be adhesively coated before mechanically securing the fitting thereto, so that these surfaces may adhere to the surfaces of the fitting as well as to one another along their marginal portions to each side of the fitting stem, to thereby inhibit the fraying of the edges of the plies.

It may here also be stated that while the present invention has been illustrated in connection with a relatively narrow wristband, such as is adapted for use with ladieswristwatches, it may also be used in connection with wider bands that are standard for mens Wristwatches. For the latter purpose, the portion of the hook member which includes the leg 20, the portion of the leg 18 underlying it, and the extension 26, may be widened to substantially the width of the band and provided with one or more openings 30 in the leg 20 and a corresponding number of teeth 28, on the extension. As this may be accomplished in a manner readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not thought necessary to specifically illustrate the same.

This completes the description of the wristband fitting and of the wristband assembly therewith of the present invention. it will be readily apparent that such fitting is strong and sturdy and not subject to corrosion and deterioration or breaking, and will not cause deterioration of the band fabric; that it may be easily and securely assembled with the wristband; that the attractive appearance of the wristband is enhanced by the use of the fitting of the present invention; and that the wristband formed therewith will safely remainsecured on the spindle of a wristwatch case.

It will also be apparent that numerous modifications and variations may be made in the wristband fitting of the present invention and the wristband assembled therewith, in accordance with the principles of the invention hereinabove set forth and without the exercise of any inventive ingenuity.

I claim:

1. A fitting for a wristband for a wristwatch, said band comprising inner and outer plies of pliable fabric, said fitting comprising a hook member of substantially U-shape, one of the legs thereof having an extension in substantially a continuous plane therewith, said extension having integral means for securing the same against the inner face of the inner ply of said band; said hook member adapted to have said outer ply folded therearound; a spring detent member, said detent member including a flat portion adapted to be disposed on said extension of said first leg, and a substantially arcuate detent nose portion adapted to be disposed intermediate the legs of said U-shaped member when said flat portion is disposed in said extension.

2. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said other leg of said hook member is provided with integral means for securing the outer ply of said band thereto.

3. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said means securing said fitting to said inner band ply comprises prongs offset at right angles relative to said extension of said inner leg, said prongs adapted to penetrate said inner ply and be offset against its outer surface.

4. The fitting of claim 2, wherein said extension is formed with a tapered triangular end portion and said prongs are disposed at the apex of said triangle, and at opposed sides thereof at its base.

5. The fitting of claim 4, wherein said flat portion of said detent member is formed with a tapered end portion adapted to fit over the tapered end of said one leg extension, and said tapered end of said flat portion of said spring having cutaway portions, said prongs fitting within said cutaway portions to thereby immobilize said spring end on said extension end.

6. The fitting of claim 2, wherein said means securing said hook member to said outer band ply comprises a diagonally reentrantly bent extension on said other leg disposed thereabove, said extension adapted to be clamped upon the marginal end edge portion of said outer band ply when folded around said U'shaped portion of said hook member.

7. The fitting of claim 6, wherein said other leg is provided with an opening formed therein and said extension thereof is provided with a tooth at its end edge offset relative thereto for engagement through said opening and said band ply when said extension is clamped over said outer band ply.

8. A wristband for a wristwatch comprising, in combination, a strap including an inner ply and an outer ply, said outer ply of greater length and overlapping an end of said inner ply and a fitting for said strap adapted to be engaged over the spindle of a wristwatch case, said fittingincluding a U-shaped body, one leg of said body having an extension continuous therewith and disposed between said plies, means on said extension securing the same to the end portion ofsaid inner ply, said outer ply folded around said U-shaped body and held thereon, and a detent spring held between said extension and said inner ply, said spring having an arcuate detent nose portion projecting from said inner ply and disposed between the legs of said U-shaped body.

9. The wristband of claim 8, wherein said other leg of said U-shaped body is provided with integral means overlapping and engaging the end of said outer ply.

10. The wristband of claim 8, wherein said means securing said extension to said inner strap ply comprises at least one prong integral with said extension, said prong passing through said inner ply and projecting therefrom and having its projecting end offset against the outer face of said inner ply.

11. The wristband of claim 10, wherein cooperating means are provided on said extension and said detent spring for inhibiting displacement of said spring on said extension.

12. The wristband of claim 9, wherein said means on said other leg engaging the end of said outer ply comprises a reentrantly bent extension of said other leg, said end of said outer ply disposed between said other leg and said extension thereof and said extension clamped against said outer ply end.

13. The wristband of claim 12, wherein said other leg is formed with an opening therethrough and said extension thereof is formed with an offset tooth, said tooth passing through said outer ply and into said opening. 

1. A fitting for a wristband for a wristwatch, said band comprising inner and outer plies of pliable fabric, said fitting comprising a hook member of substantially U-shape, one of the legs thereof having an extension in substantially a continuous plane therewith, said extension having integral means for securing the same against the inner face of the inner ply of said band; said hook member adapted to have said outer ply folded therearound; a spring detent member, said detent member including a flat portion adapted to be disposed on said extension of said first leg, and a substantially arcuate detent nose portion adapted to be disposed intermediate the legs of said U-shaped member when said flat portion is disposed in said extension.
 2. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said other leg of said hook member is provided with integral means for securing the outer ply of said band thereto.
 3. The fitting of claim 1, wherein said means securing said fitting to said inner band ply comprises prongs offset at right angles relative to said extension of said inner leg, said prongs adapted to penetrate said inner ply and be offset against its outer surface.
 4. The fitting of claim 2, wherein said extension is formed with a tapered triangular end portion and said prongs are disposed at the apex of said triangle, and at opposed sides thereof at its base.
 5. The fitting of claim 4, wherein said flat portion of said detent member is formed with a tapered end portion adapted to fit over the tapered end of said one leg extension, and said tapered end of said flat portion of said spring having cutaway portions, said prongs fitting within said cutaway portions to thereby immobilize said spring end on said extension end.
 6. The fitting of claim 2, wherein said means securing said hook member to said outer band ply comprises a diagonally reentrantly bent extension on said other leg disposed thereabove, said extension adapted to be clamped upon the marginal end edge portion of said outer band ply when folded around said U-shaped portion of said hook member.
 7. The fitting of claim 6, wherein said other leg is provided with an opening formed therein and said extension thereof is provided with a tooth at its end edge offset relative thereto for engagement through said opening and said band ply when said extension is clamped over said outer band ply.
 8. A wristband for a wristwatch comprising, in combination, a strap including an inner ply and an outer ply, said outer ply of greater length and overlapping an end of saiD inner ply and a fitting for said strap adapted to be engaged over the spindle of a wristwatch case, said fitting including a U-shaped body, one leg of said body having an extension continuous therewith and disposed between said plies, means on said extension securing the same to the end portion of said inner ply, said outer ply folded around said U-shaped body and held thereon, and a detent spring held between said extension and said inner ply, said spring having an arcuate detent nose portion projecting from said inner ply and disposed between the legs of said U-shaped body.
 9. The wristband of claim 8, wherein said other leg of said U-shaped body is provided with integral means overlapping and engaging the end of said outer ply.
 10. The wristband of claim 8, wherein said means securing said extension to said inner strap ply comprises at least one prong integral with said extension, said prong passing through said inner ply and projecting therefrom and having its projecting end offset against the outer face of said inner ply.
 11. The wristband of claim 10, wherein cooperating means are provided on said extension and said detent spring for inhibiting displacement of said spring on said extension.
 12. The wristband of claim 9, wherein said means on said other leg engaging the end of said outer ply comprises a reentrantly bent extension of said other leg, said end of said outer ply disposed between said other leg and said extension thereof and said extension clamped against said outer ply end.
 13. The wristband of claim 12, wherein said other leg is formed with an opening therethrough and said extension thereof is formed with an offset tooth, said tooth passing through said outer ply and into said opening. 